All German word comparisons · Back to the topic overview
Meaning, sentence patterns and examples
| Word | Core meaning | Typical context | Grammar |
|---|---|---|---|
| ganz | whole; completely; quite; very | whole objects and varying degrees | Inflected before a noun; unchanged as degree modifier |
| völlig | complete; completely | complete states or absence of limits | Inflected as adjective; unchanged as degree modifier |
ganz
Meaning and usage: Use ganz for an entire thing, as in a whole day. As a degree word it may mean completely, but combinations such as ganz gut often convey fairly good. Other combinations, such as ganz begeistert, can be strongly positive. There is no single intensity you can attach to every occurrence.
Grammar: Before a noun, inflect it: der ganze Tag, eine ganze Woche. Before another adjective or with a verb, leave it unchanged: ganz leer; etwas ganz verstehen. Geographic names without an article can use unchanged ganz, such as ganz Europa.
Ich habe den ganzen Nachmittag gelesen.
I read all afternoon.
Der Film war ganz gut.
The film was quite good.
Die Flasche ist ganz leer.
The bottle is completely empty.
völlig
Meaning and usage: Use völlig when a state is complete or something is present without the relevant restriction. It often modifies adjectives, but it is also an adjective itself. It does not function as a general replacement for whole in phrases about an entire physical item or time span.
Grammar: Before a noun, adjective endings are possible: völlige Ruhe, ein völliges Durcheinander. Before another adjective or with a verb, it is unchanged: völlig leer; etwas völlig verstehen.
Nach dem Gespräch war die Sache völlig klar.
After the conversation the matter was completely clear.
Im Raum herrschte völlige Ruhe.
There was complete quiet in the room.
Overlap and context
Ganz leer and völlig leer can both describe complete emptiness. Der ganze Tag means the entire day, while der völlige Tag is not the ordinary equivalent. Ganz gut can express moderate approval, though emphasis and conversational context may strengthen it. Völlig gut is not the usual way to turn that phrase into a stronger compliment.
Common mistakes
- Do not assume ganz always means completely.
- Do not claim völlig is only an adverb; völlige Ruhe is an ordinary adjective use.
- Keep ganz unchanged before an adjective, but inflect it when it modifies a noun directly.
Memory aid: Ganz can be whole or quite; völlig makes completeness explicit.
Try it
Which fits 'I waited the whole day': Ich habe den ganzen / völligen Tag gewartet?
Show the answer
den ganzen Tag
The phrase names the entire duration. Völlig normally describes completeness of a state rather than replacing whole in this time phrase.